Non-Jewish spouses of gay Israelis can get nationality

JERUSALEM--Non-Jewish spouses of Israeli homosexuals can now obtain citizenship under an interior ministry decision applicable since Tuesday.

"The same-sex partner of a person eligible for the law of return, and who does not live in Israel, may also become Israeli," a ministry statement said, adding that the ruling applies only to married same-sex couples.

Under the law of return, any Jew has the right to ask for, and to be granted, Israeli citizenship.

That right also extends to the partner of the applicant, but had previously been granted only to heterosexual couples.

"Israel's doors are now open to any Jew and his family, without discrimination based on lifestyle," Interior Minister Gideon Saar said in a statement.